It’s official: Donald Trump has once again proven he knows how to keep people talking. On Tuesday, the President-elect announced his nomination of Dr. Mehmet Oz—a celebrity TV doctor and erstwhile Senate candidate from Pennsylvania—as the new head of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
The agency oversees a mind-boggling chunk of the nation’s healthcare system, covering over 160 million Americans through programs like Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program. So naturally, Trump tapped… the guy best known for peddling miracle cures on daytime television? Bold move.
Trump, in classic fashion, hyped up Oz’s credentials, calling him an “eminent Physician, Heart Surgeon, Inventor, and World-Class Communicator.” And sure, Oz has impressive academic credentials, but let’s not forget his career’s most memorable moments: hawking dubious weight-loss supplements and getting grilled in Senate hearings for it. But hey, this is the Trump administration—if there’s one thing it does well, it’s turning the unconventional into the headline-grabbing.
I am honored to be nominated by @realDonaldTrump to lead CMS. I look forward to serving my country to Make America Healthy Again under the leadership of HHS Secretary @RobertKennedyJr. pic.twitter.com/aYIQJHG5Ej
— Dr. Mehmet Oz (@DrOz) November 19, 2024
What’s particularly striking here isn’t just Oz’s selection but the broader strategy behind it. Trump hinted that Oz will work with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the anti-establishment pick to lead Health and Human Services. Together, they’ll reportedly tackle the “illness industrial complex” and focus on disease prevention. The phrase “Make America Healthy Again” featured prominently in Trump’s announcement, proving he hasn’t lost his knack for branding, even in the world of public health.
Very excited that my friend @DrOz has agreed to run CMS. Thank you @realDonaldTrump for this outstanding nomination. Welcome Dr. Oz to The Avengers. Let’s Make America Healthy Again! https://t.co/jjQoqoiZuC pic.twitter.com/e7CSkh5kem
— Robert F. Kennedy Jr (@RobertKennedyJr) November 19, 2024
There’s also the little matter of Senate confirmation. Trump, always the showman, has floated the idea of bypassing the usual process with recess appointments. Why bother playing nice with the Senate, even one dominated by Republicans, when you can skip the formalities? Of course, this could stir up some infighting, but it’s not like intra-party drama is anything new.
On paper, Trump’s goals for Oz sound noble: cutting waste and fraud in a bloated healthcare system while making prevention a priority. But let’s be honest—slashing costs in a system this convoluted is like trying to diet on a cruise ship buffet. It’s also worth noting that CMS commands a staggering one-third of all healthcare spending and accounts for a quarter of the national budget. This is no small job, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.
There are many on both sides that aren’t happy with this pick:
The Senate should not confirm Dr. Oz.
Any grown man and medical professional who thinks a boy can be a girl is not qualified to babysit, never mind oversee $1.8 trillion in healthcare expenditures. https://t.co/Ue0JgA14Q0
— Billboard Chris 🇨🇦🇺🇸 (@BillboardChris) November 20, 2024
Dr Oz gets paid to push vaccines to millions of people yet his own wife won’t let him vaccinate their kids! pic.twitter.com/xLr0GpswBO
— “Sudden And Unexpected” (@toobaffled) November 20, 2024
Trump rounded out his announcement with a flourish, emphasizing his personal connection to Oz and declaring his confidence in the doctor’s ability to deliver. Whether Oz will rise to the occasion or simply turn CMS into the latest reality TV spectacle remains to be seen. Either way, buckle up—this ride is going to be vintage Trump.
